12 best gifts for music lovers 2024

It's been an inexplicable year for our music lovers - if you are looking for gift ideas to cheer them up, we've got you. Here are our 12 best gifts for music lovers to keep up their creative energies.

1. Soundbrenner Core 2

The Soundbrenner Core 2 is the first smartwatch for music lovers. With a sleek interface, the Core 2 features a silent, vibrating metronome (so nobody has to listen to that infuriating click again), a magnetic contact tuner, a decibel meter, and an alarm that warns you when things get too loud, as well as smart notifications for calls and texts. It's the ultimate tool for music lovers - all on your wrist.

2. Evans SoundOff Drum Mutes

Living with or next to a drummer is...loud. But thankfully, you can get a set of mutes for acoustic drum kits from Evans. You still get the feel of an acoustic drum kit, so there's no need to worry about comprising your practice - it's just at a volume that's more pleasant for neighbors.

Check out our top 10 gifts for drummers

3. Playtron

The Playtron MIDI Controller offers a unique way to create your custom MIDI controller. It can connect up to 16 objects with alligator clips. This allows you to use it with several mobile apps, online synthesizers, or your favorite DAW.

From fruits to plants, and even toys, the possibilities are endless. Connect the clips from objects capable of conducting electricity to Playtron, and assign a different MIDI note (C1 to D#2 by default) to each object. Then, you can start playing and creating your unique sounds!

Why we love it

• A unique way to make music, and you could add a very interesting/interactive aspect to your performance
• Very affordable price for the several versatile features
• Combine with other MIDI controllers or instruments to create complex arrangements and performances. 
• Very portable (can be connected to your computer, tablet, or smartphone via Bluetooth for a wireless setup)

Cons

• Not best for very precise control

4. TouchMe

TouchMe allows you to connect to objects in the same way as Playtron. However, this is a sensory device as it is set to react differently to the touch. Meaning, when the area of touch and intensity changes, the sound changes too, causing the pitch to go higher or lower!

Why we love it

• Overall great sequencer
• Perfect amount of keys
• Combine with other MIDI controllers or instruments to create complex arrangements and performances. 
• Explore the theremin-like sound generation potential of the TouchMe device to create dynamic and expressive music. 
• Interact with other people in a musical creative environment.
• Very portable (can be connected to your computer, tablet, or smartphone via Bluetooth for a wireless setup)

Cons

• Not best for very precise control

5. STOMP Bluetooth Page Turner Pedal

As tablets become more popular for reading sheet music, consider amping up that convenience with a STOMP Bluetooth page-turner. With this foot-switch, keep your hands free to play your instrument, instead of stressing out about the 0.5 seconds you have to turn the page. You can also program this pedal to control your DAW or trigger backing tracks. A perfect gift for any gigging musician.

Enjoying this article? Check out our 10 best gifts for guitarists

6. Minuendo Lossless Earplugs

These are our favorites for a reason. The emphasis on precise material use and minimal design keeps the product light and comfortable for all-day wear. Minuendo uses a membrane technology that mimics nature, which behaves like a second eardrum. To add, users are protected while still being able to hear natural high-fidelity sound. Its rotating volume slider manual adjustment is between 7 – 25dB.

Enjoying this article? Check out our 10 best gifts for pianists

7. Auralex Studiofoam Wedgies

With home recordings on the rise this year, acoustic treatment for our rooms has become a bigger priority. These sound-dampening foam panels from Auralex are a great gift for music lovers that might be a little too noisy and come in a pack of 24, which makes it easy to spot-treat your home studios. These Wedgies are 2" inches thick and have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.75, which means they absorb 75% of sound. Auralex also has 3" and 4" panels with higher NRCs for greater reduction of echo and reverb.

8. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII

For any creative spirit out there, this compact keyboard and pad controller from Akai comes bundled with professional production software and virtual instruments for immediate music creation. Featuring eight assignable Q-Link knobs for mixing and plug-ins, a four-way thumbstick, eight velocity-sensitive MPC-style pads, a built-in arpeggiator and more, this ultra-compact instrument certainly packs a punch.

Although, we would highly recommend you take care of the USB port and be aware of where you place and store it.

9. Smartphone Studio Microphone

Know someone who's starting to record their music in 2024? Compatible with any device, the Smartphone Studio Mic is everything you need to record music from your home. Get studio-quality recording (up to 24-bit/9kHz), compatibility with iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, and built-in gain control and direct monitoring. It's also completely powered by your device, so no charging is required at all! Its ease of use makes it one of the best gifts for music lovers.

10. TASCAM DR-05X Stereo Handheld Recorder

For more acoustically-minded instrumentalists who can't be bothered with a grand recording setup (hint: classical music lovers), the TASCAM DR-05X is a choice gift. With built-in dual omnidirectional condenser microphones for stereo recording, you can expect great audio quality with this portable recorder. This also serves as an audio interface with your Mac or PC so you can record directly into your computer for tasks on your DAW or podcasting.

11. A premium digital audio workstation

Whether you want to fix up your recordings or produce your music, a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is an essential tool for the modern musician. A DAW is an electronic device or application software used for recording, editing and producing audio files, and while there are free ones out there, a premium DAW will be able to offer a much greater range of capabilities. There are many DAWs out there to suit different purposes, so check out our guide to find the best fit. It's one of the best gifts for music lovers looking to level up their creativity.

12. Shure SE215

For a pair of in-ear monitoring earphones that won't break the bank, look to the Shure SE215-CL. Shure has a reputation for delivering high-quality sound, and this entry-level IEM is no exception. With their award-winning sound and long-lasting comfort, these earphones block up to 37 dB of outside noise and are designed to withstand the rigors of onstage performance. These earphones come in wireless and wired versions with detachable cables and multiple color options.